Successfully non-surgical management of flail chest as first manifestation of multiple myeloma: A case report.

Background: Multiple myeloma is a malignant neoplasm of the bone marrow characterized by neoplastic proliferation of monoclonal plasma cells with a high relationship with destructive bone disease. We present a case of a patient diagnosed with multiple myeloma and sternal fracture in association with multiple bilateral rib fractures and thoracic kyphosis, who developed a severe acute respiratory failure, thus complicating the initial presentation of multiple myeloma. We discuss the therapeutic implications of this uncommon presentation.

Clinical significance and outcome of Aeromonas spp. infections among 204 adult patients.

The objectives of this investigation were to analyze the clinical patterns, risk groups, prognostic factors, and mortality of infections caused by Aeromonas spp. This was a retrospective study of adult patients with Aeromonas spp. isolates attended at the Hospital del Mar in Barcelona, Spain, between January 2006 and December 2012.

Risk factors for candidaemia in critically ill patients: a prospective surveillance study.

Candidaemia is frequently a life-threatening complication in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). To assess the risk factors for candidaemia in critically ill patients with prolonged ICU stay, a total of 1765 adult patients admitted for at least 7 days to 73 medical-surgical ICUs of 70 tertiary care hospitals in Spain participated in a prospective cohort study. Candidaemia was defined as recovery of Candida spp.

A bedside scoring system ("Candida score") for early antifungal treatment in nonneutropenic critically ill patients with Candida colonization.

Objective: To obtain a score for deciding early antifungal treatment when candidal infection is suspected in nonneutropenic critically ill patients.

Design: Analysis of data collected from the database of the EPCAN project, an ongoing prospective, cohort, observational, multicenter surveillance study of fungal infection and colonization in intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

Setting: Seventy-three medical-surgical ICUs of 70 teaching hospitals in Spain.

[Alveolar haemorrhage and hepatitis virus C related mixed cryoglobulinemia. Report of three cases].

Hepatitis C virus -related mixed cryoglobulinemia is a recognised entity. Renal and pulmonary involvements are severe potential complications of this disease. Alveolar haemorrhage is a form of pulmonary complication.

Isolation of Aspergillus spp. from the respiratory tract in critically ill patients: risk factors, clinical presentation and outcome.

Introduction: Our aims were to assess risk factors, clinical features, management and outcomes in critically ill patients in whom Aspergillus spp. were isolated from respiratory secretions, using a database from a study designed to assess fungal infections.

Methods: A multicentre prospective study was conducted over a 9-month period in 73 intensive care units (ICUs) and included patients with an ICU stay longer than 7 days.

Economic impact of Candida colonization and Candida infection in the critically ill patient.

The objective of the study presented here was to assess the economic impact of Candida colonization and Candida infection in critically ill patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). For this purpose, a prospective, cohort, observational, and multicenter study was designed. A total of 1,765 patients over the age of 18 years who were admitted for at least 7 days to 73 medical-surgical ICUs in 70 Spanish hospitals between May 1998 and January 1999 were studied.

Candiduria in critically ill patients admitted to intensive care medical units.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of candiduria in critically ill patients admitted to intensive care medical units (ICUs), to identify risk factors for candiduria and to assess the frequency distribution of different Candidaspp.

Subjects And Methods: This was a prospective cohort observational and multicenter study. A total of 1,765 patients older than 18 years of age who were admitted for at least 7 days to 73 medical-surgical ICUs of 70 Spanish hospitals were included in the study.

Spontaneous Listeria monocytogenes peritonitis: a population-based study of 13 cases collected in Spain.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the incidence, demographic data, clinical features, and outcome of peritoneal infections due to Listeria monocytogenes in individuals with cirrhosis.

Methods: During a 10-yr study period, 153 cases of invasive listeriosis were recorded in a prospective population-based surveillance project carried out in Barcelona, Spain.

Results: Thirteen cases were of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis by L.

In vitro activities of 22 antimicrobial agents against Listeria monocytogenes strains isolated in Barcelona, Spain. The Collaborative Study Group of Listeriosis of Barcelona.

The in vitro activity of 22 antimicrobial agents against 82 human Listeria monocytogenes strains isolated in Barcelona from 1994 to 1998 was determined. Ampicillin and gentamicin showed good in vitro activity against all strains (MIC90: 1 and < or = 0.25 microg/ml, respectively).

Successful treatment with liposomal amphotericin B of an intraabdomianl abscess due to Candida norvegensis associated with a Gore-Tex mesh infection.

There are few reports of severe infections caused by Candida norvegensis. We here describe a case of C. norvegensis-associated intraabdominal abscess and Gore-Tex mesh-associated infection, successfully treated with liposomal amphotericin B and removal of the mesh.

Perinatal listeriosis: a population-based multicenter study in Barcelona, Spain (1990-1996).

The aim off this study was to describe the incidence, epidemiology, clinical presentation, and outcome of perinatal listeriosis for a 7-year period (1990-1996) based on data of an active population-based surveillance project implemented in the city of Barcelona, Spain. There were 30 cases (20.8%) associated with pregnancy (15 pregnant women, 13 neonates, and 2 fetal deaths).

Candiduria in non-neutropenic critically-ill surgical patients. Detection of IgA, IgG and IgM antibodies to Candida albicans by germ tube immunofluorescence.

The significance of indirect immunofluorescence using Candida albicans germ tube as well as blastospore antigens in the diagnosis of isolated candiduria in non-neutropenic, critically-ill surgical patients was assessed. Ten patients with isolated candiduria, 12 with systemic candidosis and 10 with multifocal muco-cutaneous candidosis were included in the study. The sera of another 10 critically-ill patients with no signs of candidosis served as controls.

Candidemia in non-neutropenic critically ill patients: analysis of prognostic factors and assessment of systemic antifungal therapy. Study Group of Fungal Infection in the ICU.

Objective: To determine the incidence and prognosis of candidemia in non-neutropenic critically ill patients, to define mortality-related factors, and to evaluate the results of systemic antifungal therapy.

Design: A prospective multicenter survey in which medical and/or surgical intensive care units (ICUs) in 28 hospitals in Spain participated.

Patients: All critically ill patients with positive blood cultures for Candida species admitted to the participating ICUs over a 15-month period were included.

Candida endophthalmitis in non-neutropenic critically ill patients.

Six non-neutropenic critically ill patients who developed hematogenous endophthalmitis due to Candida spp. were studied prospectively. In all cases the yeast was isolated in blood cultures.

[Methanol and ethylene glycol poisoning. Study of 18 cases].

Background: The present study reviews acute intoxication by methanol and ethylenglycol analyzing its form of presentation, treatment applied and prognosis.

Methods: A retrospective study performed in 5 hospitals from the Barcelona area (Spain) from January 1984 to December 1993 is reported.

Results: Eighteen patients, 16 intoxicated by methanol and 2 by ethylenglycol were reviewed.